WIP Wednesday 04/27/2011

It's been very busy at our house and there's been little time for sewing. I have started the Jamie Dress. I've never really made myself clothes, but after seeing a sew along of this dress, I decided to try! I have all of the pieces cut and the bodice sewn together. It has a zipper, which I'm a little intimidated by, but so far so good!


Since we've been not at home, I've been knitting. It's so easy to throw a small project into my purse/diaper bag to work on in the car or while we're just sitting around somewhere. I made two of these little cloths after seen them somewhere on the internet. Sorry I can't remember where. I think they will be good for face washing. I don't love the way the colors ended up, but I do like how they feel.

I can only knit and purl. I don't know how to yarn over or anything other than straight rows. It's really limiting my projects! I think I'm going to just have to sit down and watch some online videos to learn something new. This is all purling.

My next new project is going to be a Plus Quilt. I'm had a pile of these 30's reproduction fabric that I ordered months ago that I think will end up being really cute. I have 30 fat quarter and this only takes 20, so I'll still have a small pile!

I still haven't put the binding on my zigzag quilt or done any more work on the charm quilt.

If you don't have anything you are working on, you should just hop over to Grosgrain. It's free pattern month. There's some really cute stuff!

Be sure to visit Freshly Pieced to see everyone else's WIPs!

Birdie Stitches April Block

I'm skipping Work in Progress Wednesday this week, because I haven't made much progress on anything I've been working on. I cut out pieces to a dress that is going to end up being too small, so I got stalled there. I have the fabric to finish the two quilts I'm working on, but I haven't done any sewing on them. I did finish my April Birdie Stitches block. It may be my favorite one so far. I really like the Easter Eggs.

I made another Easter egg project with Lily, but I don't have pictures to show it yet. She was super excited to help, which made it worth it. I love it when we can do stuff together like that.

WIP Wednesday 04/13/2011

Wednesday's sure do come quick these day! It seems like I was just updating what I was working on! This cute little Cuckoo! from Wild Olive is hopefully going to turn into an actual clock for my sewing room this weekend. We'll see how I do. If that doesn't work, it's going to be a pillow maybe. I really like it.

This is my newest work in progress. It's the charm quilt from my Second Saturday Sewing (which you can read about below!). I'm going today to get the border and the backing for it. I'm torn about what color to pick because I don't really know what I'm going to do with this when it's finished. Maybe a light green....

I still haven't finished my zigzag quilt. That whole running out of thread thing just put that project right in park. I've been trying not to think of new projects until I finish some of the older ones, but that's not really going too well! I ordered a pattern for the Jamie Dress by SisBoom today. I've never really made clothes that were actually worn, so I'm going to give it a try. I have a skirt that should have turned out really cute, but no...EPIC FAIL. Maybe I'll start a link up of Friday Fails!I have a couple of those projects!

I also still need to finish my Birdie Stitches block for April. I don't really have a lot of plans for the weekend other than a lunch on Saturday, so maybe I'll have lots of time to work on finishes this weekend. Be sure to check out what everyone else is working on at Freshly Pieced!

Second Saturday Sewing: The Beginning!

As I mentioned previously, several of my friends and I have decided to get together once a month and make stuff. We are all talented in different areas and are able to help each other learn new things. We decided to start with a charm baby quilt, like this one on Diary of a Quilter. About 8 of my good friends are going to try to participate (and anyone else I know in real life is welcome too!), but only 5 of us were able to make it this Saturday. Everyone brought their fabric and a sewing machine if they had one. Sometimes life gets in the way of even the best plans and only 3 of us started a baby quilt. SDJ decided to make a buttercup bag at the last minute. Good thing I'm turning into a sewing hoarder and had everything she needed!

CAR hard at work.

SDJ is a careful measurer! H did a great job of helping, even though she didn't actually get to make anything. Next time!

Me reading the directions for the Buttercup bag. My daughter had a ball taking terrible pictures of us. Everyone else should be thankful I skipped posting those! We started around 10:30ish. We had sandwiches for lunch and an impromptu birthday celebration of cupcakes and Cheesy Chicken Rotel. By 4, we had 3 mostly finished quilt tops. We just need to add borders. This is mine. I wasn't sure I was going to like it when I got started, but I really do. We decided to offset the blocks to make it more interesting (and to keep from having to carefully match up seams!

CAR has only used the sewing machine a couple of times. This is her top before ironing. I love the bright colors.

My dear friend MMP had never used a sewing machine before. After she figured out how to slow it down a little, she did a great job. I think her quilt for her nephew is going to turn out great, especially for a first project.

SDJ's Buttercup Bag, modeled her by our delightful photographer.

I think for our first time getting together, it worked out pretty well. I think I picked an overly ambitious project, but everyone rose to the occasion! I think we are going to make a Pleated Purse next time and/or finish up our quilts. Here are my suggestions:

1. Start early. Plan to stay for the day. It's going to take longer than you think.

2. Set your expectations low. If it turns out well, great. If it doesn't, you're not disappointed.

3. Have food readily available. It was nice to just grab a sandwich when I got hungry. We didn't have to stop to go get lunch, and we could take a break when we got to a good stopping point.

4. Leave the kids at home. They are fun to have around for a while, but they sure slow down productitivy (and girl talk!!). I will say that one day I hope that my daughter remembers doing things with mommy and her friends, and I hope that she develops an interest in creating things, so thanks to everyone for being sweet to her. She made a little girl out of the scraps that were left behind.

5. Show up. Even if you don't have everything you need, or if you have to bring your kids, or you have to leave early or come late. Just show up. You'll be glad you did. There is something to be said for gathering with people who love you. It feeds the spirit.

I think it was a success and I can't wait to do it again.

WIP Wednesday 04/06/2011

One big finish:

I finished the Noah's Rainbow quilt this week. I am very happy with how it turned out. I think the binding is my favorite part. It's all different colors. I made it and I finally figured out mitering the corners.

I also really like the back. It's just a flat sheet from Wal-Mart, but it was exactly what I needed.

I spent the weekend away with some of the best friends a girl could ask for, so I didn't really have time to work on anything else. I still haven't finished my zigzag quilt and the fairies are still waiting for a back. I also have to get my April Birdie Stitches block done.

This weekend is the first get together with my friends for Second Saturday Sewing. We're each going to work on a charm square quilt. I thought that would be an easy project to get us started. Not much cutting, easy sewing. I'll update next week about how it goes. Maybe you should follow me so you can see how they all turn out!

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